Disappointment As England Miss Out On Commonwealth Medal

The England netball team have missed out on a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, after losing their semi-final match to New Zealand. It was a disappointing result for the defending champions, who were the surprise winners of a gold medal at the 2018 Games in Australia. 

The Australian team beat Jamacia 55-51 in the final, to take their fourth Commonwealth Games medal. The England Roses team played valiantly against the New Zealand Silver Ferns, and were enthusiastically supported by the home crowd in the NEC Arena.

The Roses rallied to score four goals in the last 15 minutes, but this was only enough to bring the final score to 48-55. This was despite pulling a 10 goal win over New Zealand in the pool stages.

Defender Eboni Usoro-Brown was emotional at the final whistle, as the match represented her last elite level netball performance. She was cheered into her retirement by an appreciative crowd, keen to support a local player who was born in Solihull. 

Usoro-Brown gave a heartfelt interview after the game. She said: “You’ve supported us through thick and thin. We’ve done netball so proud. Birmingham rocks. For me personally, this has been really special because I have a daughter. Hopefully that is a strong message for girls sitting in here.”

Usoro-Brown had a baby in August 2020, and returned to professional level netball afterwards. She used her interview to emphasise the point that motherhood and elite sport needn’t be incompatible. 

Former Roses star Chelsea Pitman tweeted: “Gutted for @EnglandNetball. Congrats to NZ, you played clinical. The biggest congratulations & Thank You @StcyJyneFrancis & @EboniBChambers on a epic career. You’ve done the red dress, your family, friends and the netball community the greatest service by being yourselves.”

Pitman was part of the England team who took Commonwealth Gold in Australia in 2018.

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